In a recent interview, former Border Czar Tom Homan suggested that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could potentially face legal consequences for hosting a webinar aimed at educating migrants on how to avoid deportation. The event, called “Know Your Rights With ICE,” was organized by Ocasio-Cortez’s office on Wednesday, offering guidance to immigrants on how to handle interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
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During a CNN appearance on Sunday with Dana Bash, Homan, who served as acting director of ICE under the Trump administration, raised concerns that Ocasio-Cortez’s actions could be considered an “impediment” to law enforcement. He referenced his collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in an attempt to determine whether the webinar crossed any legal boundaries.
“I’m working with the Department of Justice to find out where that line that they cross is. So maybe AOC’s going to be in trouble now,” Homan said. Bash, responding to Homan’s comments, asked, “Are you suggesting that she should be prosecuted?” Homan clarified his position, stating that he had simply inquired with the DOJ about the line between civil education and obstruction of law enforcement.
“I’m suggesting that I ask the Department of Justice where that line is on impediment, right? It’s a broad statute,” he explained. “So, I know, impeding, with someone stopped in front of me and put their hands on my chest, saying, ‘You’re not coming in here to arrest that guy,’ that’s clearly impeding.”
The former ICE chief emphasized the importance of distinguishing between providing legal information and actively helping individuals evade law enforcement. “Because you can call it ‘Know Your Rights’ all you want. We all know what the bottom line is. The bottom line is, how do they evade law enforcement?” Homan said.
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Ocasio-Cortez’s office defended the webinar, with the congresswoman herself clarifying that it was intended as a civil rights resource to inform individuals about their rights during encounters with ICE agents. Bash reminded Homan of a crucial distinction in immigration law, noting that being undocumented in the U.S. is not a criminal offense unless accompanied by other crimes.
Homan, however, took issue with Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion that participants may only be “vaguely familiar with U.S. immigration law.” “I forgot more about immigration law than AOC will ever know,” Homan remarked with a wry smile. “As a matter of fact… I had explained to her that entering the country illegally was actually a crime.”
Ultimately, Homan expressed his concern about ensuring that ICE officers are operating within legal parameters. “I think it’s the responsible thing to do for the border czar of the United States to make sure the men and women of ICE understand what they can and can’t do,” he added, reinforcing his position that law enforcement should be held accountable for their actions.
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